Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

fiDasonic Botes ant > <& uene 3 . 104 S ] —

BERKSHIRE CALENDAR FOR 1 S 94 . Referring to your review of the above in the Freemason of January 20 th it is impossible to say when the old Reading lodge was formed . It may have been in existence man ) ' years , or it may have been quite new in 1725 . This much is certain , it does not appear in

the list of lodges of 1723 , and therefore if it was an old lodge its adhesion'to the then newly-formed Grand Lodge must have been between 1723 and 1725 . The names of its members in 1725 were as follows : " Mitre at Reading , Mr . Walter Winter , Mar ., Mr . Tho . l ' ockett , and Mr . Tho . Hughes , Wardens , Nevill Lawther , Jonas Chesterman , Maurice Butler , Major

Wm . Godolphin , Wm . Hill , Capt . Andr . Corner , Capt . John Nangle , Capt . John Duvernett , Capt . John Knight , Tho . Burt , Rich . Edwards , Tho . Crisp , Rich . Sprules , Jos . Collins , Algernon Piercey , and Jonathan Hicks . " It will be seen that five of the above 19 members were military officers . The lodge had ceased to exist prior to the year 1729 . " JNO . LANE . Torquay , 22 nd Januatry , 1894 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE . OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS . This is truly a wonderful work , and contains in itl jorne 70 J pages more valuable and useful information than is to be found , so far as our researches go , in any other volume of its kind . Mr . Henry Frowde , of the University Press Warehouse , London , may well be congratulated on the

production of these " Helps , " which are to date , ably arranged , beautifully printed , and are simply invaluable . They may be had either with or without the Bible , and begin at the modest sum of one shilling net , and rise in price , according to size and binding . For the shilling the volume may rank with the penny New Testament as a curiosity , from a financial standpoint : but the better

editions , both as respect size and style , are much to be preferred , some being handsomely got up . The information , however , is the same in all issues , as also the extraordinary Illustrations and Facsimiles . There are six parts devoted to : 1 . Ihe Bible ( the Canon , Ancient Versions , & c ) . 2 . Summary of the Books of the Old Testament and Brief Summary ol the History thereof ( Geographical ,

Chronological , Ethnological , and Lmgutstical ) . 3 . The Apocrypha ( Historical and Comparative ) . 4 . The New Testament ( Descriptive , Prophetical , and containing numerous References ) . 5 . Palestine , its Inhabitants , Physical Geography , Customs , etc . ( The Geological , Botanical and Natural History Sections are important Divisions in this portion , as also the Numismatical and Musical Chapters ) . 0 . The

Indices , devoted to obsolete words , a copious glossary ; ably-arranged Dictionary ; most useful Subject-Index , a Concordance of over 150 pages , and an Index to the Atlas which is inserted at the end of this closely-printed and most compact treatise . The General Index is of great utility , and the Preface cannot fail to be both useful and welcome to the student ; and as there are also 08 plates—in the

shilling edition as well as the better issues—it will be evident that these " Helps " are far superior to all previous publications of the class , and suggest that the work is well worthy of its title . Of the previous editions issued in 1 S 76 and 1 S 7 Sconsiderably over a million weresold . That being so , we may reasonably expect a still larger circulation for this the 3 rd issue . Extensive enough , we hope to reimburse the spirited publisher .

THE "FREEMASONS'" CALENDAR ANO DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM , iS'J-l-Ibis excellent compilation is published by authority of the Provincial Grand Lodge by the esteemed Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Robeit Hudson , of Tynemouth . The printers are Messrs . Bixk and Inchbold , of Leeds . Excluding the advertisements there are over ifio pages of closely-arranged

details concerning the 3 6 " Lodges , 12 R . A . Chapters , 11 Mark Lodges , 3 K . T . Preceptorics , and 2 Rose Croix Chapters , besides other Masonic bodies . For all these are given datts of Warrants , Roll of Officers and much information else of a most interesting character . Full particulars are abo inserted as to the Provincial Grand Lodge , Chapter , iVc , so tha' this alily-: ditcd work , involvirg much labour

and research , ii a complete guide to the Province , and indispensable for the members . Durham is well cared for in every way . An active and respected Prov . G . M ., an enthusiastic and learned Deputy Prov . G . M ., and a Prov . Grand Secretary second to none . What more can be neu ' ed to secure efficiency and to promote brotherly love , relief , and truth :

MAM IMC CALENDAR OF LODGES , COUNCILS , . V .:., MEEI 1 NG AT MARK MASONS' HALL , AND ROLL OF GRAND OFFICERS FROM 1 . S 50 to 1 Sy 3 . Ibis very handy , _ laborious , and accurate work is ably tdi ' . ed by liro . C . F . Matier , the Mark Grand Secretary . 'J he tille is not quite suitable , as it fails to indicate the comprehensive character of the compilation . The Mark

Masons' Annual would be a much better name for it . Any way , its mcr ts are so conspicuous , and its usefulness so apparent , that all we can do is to warmly express our thanks to liro . Matier for this most seasonable publication . Its contents can only be glanced at , for they are varied and most intercsiing withal . Last year ' s issue was so complete , that no features have been added in this , the ninth of the aeries . There is only one change that appears to u > to bs

Reviews.

necessary to place one roll in its proper place , and that is for the names of the Grand Representatives at , and from , the Mark Grand Lodge to follow the list of Grand Officers after page 16 , the "Succession of Grand Officers from 1 S 56 " to iSo , 2 , from pp . 41 to Si inclusive , following on in due course . The information is valuable as to other Degrees , b'it whilst that is so , and cannot fail to be very

welcome to the many who will consult this excellent guide , surely the Mark particulars should first be given from the beginning thereof right to the end . We are not wishful to find fault , in fact , we could not if we wanted to , and only state our view to prove we have done our best to find

something which might be improved , though certainly the discovery is neither important nor of any great interest . We reiterate our thanks to Bro . Matier for his annual gift . As usual , the Calendar has been printed at 16 , Great Queenstreet , by Bro . George Kenning , who has no superior for that sort of work .

CALENDAR OF MASONIC MEETINGS IN EAST LANCASHIRE , 1 S 93 . This wonderfully compact compilation is in its 44 th year ; presumably the senior of its class . Considerably over 100 lodges , 40 Royal Arch chapters , 32 Mark lodges , 21 Knights Templar preceptories , and seven Rose Croix chapters are all duly attended to , the information being so well arranged as to be literally " crammed " within its 30 pages , and is thus a veritable multum in fiarvo .

HASTINGS , NASEBY , AND FLODDEN . Poems by Bro . Capt . T . C . WALLS , Author of "An Ode to Tennyson , " " The Tower of London , " "Westminster Abbey , " & c . Our talented brother , who is as well-known among his friends for his thorough historical knowledge as for his exceptional poetic gifts , has yoked together the muses of

history and poetry in the works we ha-re before vis . They are descriptive , as their names tells us , of three of the famous battles of our English history , and no one who fought in those battles could fail , if he were to come to life again , to be impressed by the faithful manner in which a writer at the end of the 19 th century has given a stirring and yet accurate account of the engagement he undertakes

to describe . " Naseby and Hastings " are written in the ten-syllable metre , and " F'lodden " in eight and six , the stanzas in all the three cases consisting of four lines . For our part , we are inclined to think both that Bro . Walls is at his best in the latter metre , and that that metre is the one most adapted for battle pieces and ballads in general . The mediceval spirit so prevades the romantic mind of Bro .

Walls , that he naturally shines most in the mediaeval style of poem . In " Hastings" and " Naseby , " however , there are some striking lines , and we will cull just a few . In "Hastings" we have a very line description of the way in which the invading Duke rallied his followers when they thought him deati . He " cried— 'I live , ' and bareheaded scours the plain . " Imagine the effect of this on a fanatical host ! Of their host we are told that

on the previous night " They spent the time in prayer , real or feigned . " For our part we think it must have been feigned , for how can a man pray truly when he is removing his neighbour's landmark ? In ' * Naseby , " the most pathetic stanzas , in our opinion , are the two in which Bro . Walls describes the semi-accidental flight of the King . His Majesty tells Lord Carnworth that he , as a Stuart , cannot fly from the field , but

The Earl to the King ' s steed the rowel gave , Which reared , and madly galloped from the plain . " The involuntary flight of the courageous King on his rebellious charger is an incident that has a peculiar pathos of its own j and this pathos loses nothing of its tenderness in the hands of Bro . Walls . " Flodden " shows our author ' s muse in ( as we think ) its highest flight ; and we trust he

will let us say that he has in this poem found his metier so thoroughly that we hope he will make English ballad poetry a serious study . Among so many characteristic lines it is hard to make choice ; but there is something very peculiarly powerful in the almost brusque simplicity of the account he gives of the extermination of the unhappy clan .

Many a writer would have expanded this into several stanzas ; but how many could have expressed the full horror of this massacre in so epigrammatic a manner ? In conclusion , let us recommend all who love the history of their country to read Bro . Walls' poems ; their time will not be wasted .

" Too true ; all corses to a man On Flodden's field did lie . "

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASONIC VETERAN ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS . The eighth annual report of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois is a remarkable work , and reflects the greatest credit on our esteemed friend and brother , Gen . John Corson Smith , P . G . M . The frontispiece is an excellent representation of the General ' s residence at 65 ,

Sibleystreet , Chicago , "known to the initiate" as Smith ' s Inn . Several of the portraits are very ( rood , especially one of Mrs . Smith , the kind and graceful hostess , who ha ^ for many years warmly welcomed the veterans , introduced so fraternally to the hospitality of this truly Masonic home by her gifted husband , whose delight is to be summoned by his brethren from all parts of the world . There are ( 12

honorary members , of whom 17 hail from England , Scotland , or Ireland . These include H . R . II . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., who was elected ( by consent ) on October 25 th , 1 S 93 , at the annual assembly . Gen . Smith ( who is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of England at Illinois ) , in proposing our Grand Master , said that H . R . II . was " known and loved by all members of the

Craft throughout the globe . " The election was formally moved by Past Grand Master Joseph Robbins , and seconded by Past Grand Master Hawley , and , of course , was unanimously agreed to . Our esteemed Grand Secretary , Bro . Edward Letchworth , and Sir Henry Trueman Wood were elected immediately aLerwards . The other British honorary members include the Earl of Haddington , P . G . M . : Wm .

James Hughan , P . G . D . ; Thomas B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . ; R . S . Brown , Grand Scribe V .. ( Scotland ) ; Harry W . Lake ( Commissioner for Johore at the Chicago Exhibition ) , J . Sykes Rymer ( York ) , Henry Sadler , Sub-Librarian ; and G : orge William Speth , Secretary Ouatuor Coronati Lodge . The volume is one of great interest , and has an illustrated account of General Smith ' s visit to Jerusalem .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Lodge Of Sincerity ( No . 1 74 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 17 th instant , at the Guildhall Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . W . Phillips , W . M . There was a very large attendance of brethren , members of the lodge and visitors . Among the brethren of the lodne were Bros . John Bulmer , P . M . ; VV . James Higgs , P . M . ; George jon ? s , P . M . ;

Henry Jay , P . M . ; Henry Magee , P . M . ; L . T . Stainer , P . M . ; E . J . Moore , P . M . ; G . J . H . Seddon , P . M . ; J . Newton , P . M . ; Charles Lacey , P . M ., Treas . ; and C . H . Webb , P . M ., Sec . Among the visitors were Bros . Robert Ayton , P . M . 933 ; C . Mansfield , 1421 ; J . H . Retallach Molineux , 2291 ; J . Edward Fullager , 14 j Charles Westwood , S . D . 1343 ; G . Cunningham , 1343 ; Edward Triggs , 2291 : Alfred Reed , 2291 ; Thomas Geo .

Dacombe , P . M . 359 ; J . Talbot Barnes , J . W . 21 S 4 : J . H . Gaunt , 1656 ; VV . II . Hubbert , 1625 ; Saml . Morby , P . M . 1 S 56 ; J . A . H . League , 1310 ; W . T . Bush , 1716 ; George P . Denney , 1607 ; VV . Jones , 2291 ; Brymer Given , 1790 ; C . Spurgeon , 45 and 231 S ; J . Child , P . M . 453 , P . P . G . S . of VV . Essex ; C . A . Carrell , P . M . 1 S 1 G , 2 3 12 , 2 s ; J . H . . M . Mullerhausen , 2264 ; G . Wilkinson , 1607 ; James Duncan Gray , 55 ; J . Mason , W . M . 15 C 7 ,

P . P . S . G . D . Middx . ; W . H . Shepherd , 1816 ; H . Massey , 1 C 0 , P . M . C 19 and 192 S ; A . Calver , 933 ; Charles F . Ouicke . t 1531 ; J . Woods , VV . M . S 13 ; W . Robinson , S 60 ; and Moses Davis , 704 . The ceremony of installation was most impressively performed by Bro . Phillips , W . M ., and Bro . William Green Norman , a P . M . of the West Ham Abbey Lodge , was placed in the Master ' s chair with all due formality and

saluted according to ancient custom . The ollicers' collars were bestowed as follows : Bros . VV . Phillips , l . P . M . ; W . Butcher , S . W . ; VV . Harvey , J . W . ; Charles Lacey , P . M ., Treas . ; C . H . Webb , P . M ., Sec . ; J . J . Mustart , S . D . ; J . Bayley , J . D . ; G . A . Griffiths , I . G . ; H . S . Sambrook , W . S . ; G . T . H . Seddon , P . M ., Org . ; VV . J . Jones , Asst . Org . ; and James Very , Tyler . Bro . John Newton gave notice that at the next meeting he should propose that the lodge be a member of the Correspondence Circle of the

Ouatuor Coronati Lodge , and informed the brethren of the advantages to be derived from membership of that lodge . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Phillips . An elegant banquet followed the working of the lodge , and a splendid programme of music was executed under the direction of Mrs . Norman Jones by Mrs . Alice Kerridge , Miss Lillian Corner , Bros . Mullerhausen , Griffiths , and Keable .

The VV . M . adopted the principle of having very brief speeches , and this was followed by all the brethren who had to address the company . After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured , Bro . Phillips , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " informing the brethren that a W . M . depended very much for his success during his year of office on them . He had experienced this himself , and the loyalty they had shown to him he trusted they would transfer to the new Master .

The VV . M ., in reply , said he embrsed the remarks of the I . P . M . as to the assistance the brethren were to a VV . M . It was necessary to the success of the Master and the lodge itself that the VV . M . should have the hearty cooperation of all the brethren . He felt he had that in the Sincerity Lodge , the prestige of which he trusted would not suffer from their electing him as their head . Bros . Child , Ayton , Fullager , Gray , Spurgeon , and

Denton responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " which was the next toast proposed . The VVorshipful Master , in proposing "The Masonic Charities , " informed the brethren that he was going to stand as Steward for the lodge at the next Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and he solicited their support to his list . He would like to take up as good a list as his predecessor—a bstter if possible .

Bro . John Mason , in responding , said it was not necessary in the Sincerity Lodge to advocate the cause of the Charities ; the good old Sincerity did its work for the Charities in its own way every year ; it never forgot the Charities , which , he was sorry to say , was not the case with all lodges ; the duty of any of the Executive Officers of the Masonic Institutions , when they came to the Lodge of Sincerity , was confined to thanking the brethren for their

assistance . l < or all those Institutions , he now thanked the lodge . He might tell those who we ' e nit alreidy awarj of it , that the Benevolent Institution was spending nearly £ 16 , 000 a year in annuities alone , and he was afraid the next Festival , on February 2 Sth , would not realise mire than £ S , oao , or not enough to pay tin , annuities . The magnificent Festival of two years ago enabled the Managing Committee to invest £ 35 . 00 : ) , the interest on which

would be enough to keep extra annuitants then taken on for all tim : to come . I le implored the brethren to help the Institution as much as they possibly could . Bro . W . Phillips , I . P . M ., in responding to the toast of "The Past Masters , " said those brethren , as they always had given , so would they always give their heartiest support to the VV . M . of the Sincerity Lodge . Bro . Charles Lacey , P . M ., replying , as Treasurer , said

that as one of the members of the lodge , he felt highly gratified that the brother now presiding over it would do credit to the lodge and maintain its good reputation , and he ( Bro . Lacey ) would do all he possibly could to continue its fair fame . It was his mother lodge , and he wis proud to own it as his Masonic parent . As Treasurer , he had always tried to do his duty , and he was happy to say there was not

a responsibility of the lodge undischarged . H ; thanked them for their renewed confidence . Bro . C . H . Webb , P . M ., as Secretary , also replied , and said that while he had health and strength he should always use his best endeavours to discharge the duties of his office properly . The toast of "The Officers " was then given , honoured , and responded to , and the Tyler ' s toast close ! the proceedings , which were of a most enjoyable nature throughout .